Deutsche Bahn (DB) is continuing to invest heavily in young talent in 2025, with around 5,700 apprentices and dual students starting their training and studies this autumn. Despite the tight labour market, DB will reach its recruitment target for junior staff, offering opportunities across 50 apprenticeship professions and 25 dual study programmes.
The official welcome events for the new intake will take place on 1 September at eight locations nationwide.
Martin Seiler, DB’s Board Member for Human Resources, said:
“We are proud that so many young talents have chosen DB as their employer. This shows that DB is also a particularly attractive employer for the younger generation. My thanks go to our colleagues in recruitment who inspire people every day with great commitment. Our aim is to provide the best training conditions and long-term prospects, because their motivation and commitment are crucial for DB’s sustainable success.”
Training across Germany
The apprentices will benefit from training at 33 modern training centres across Germany. Support includes individual mentoring, exchange formats, and digital learning tools, with all apprentices and students receiving high-quality digital devices. Additional benefits such as travel discounts and housing subsidies form part of the package.
The largest share of recruits – around 1,000 apprentices – will train as train controllers, responsible for setting points and signals at signal boxes. Other key roles include train drivers (more than 800) and electronics technicians in operations technology (around 800). Among dual study programmes, civil engineering (100 students), electrical engineering (90) and railway engineering (70) are the most popular fields.
With more than 15,000 apprentices and students overall, DB remains one of the largest training companies in Germany.
Supporting DB’s S3 renewal programme
Attracting new staff for operational professions is a declared priority as DB implements its S3 renewal programme, which aims to improve punctuality, reliability and profitability. Across all roles, DB plans to hire more than 20,000 new employees in 2025.
To address the challenges of a historically tight labour market, DB is using innovative recruitment formats. Through its interactive virtual 3D world (experience.db.jobs), young people can explore DB professions in a playful and immersive way.
DB has also expanded its outreach to schools, now maintaining over 770 school partnerships nationwide. With the help of 22 community recruiters, the company promotes career opportunities in schools and associations, particularly in rural regions. The number of school internships on offer has also grown.
At universities, DB has increased its presence from 100 to around 150 locations, targeting both students and those leaving degree programmes. The new “DB Bahn:Klasse!” programme offers practice-oriented insights and entry opportunities directly on campus.
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